Abrasive media containment bag

ABSTRACT

An abrasive media containment bag ( 11 ) having a bag portion ( 13 ), a nozzle fitting ( 15 ), a blast fitting ( 17 ), and a filter member ( 19 ) is disclosed. The abrasive media containment bag ( 11 ) allows the surface of an aircraft or aircraft component to be prepared for bonding by using abrasive blasting, without fear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media. The abrasive media containment bag ( 11 ) isolates the area to be treated ande recovers and contains the abrasive media.

This application claims benefit of provisional appln, 60/330,344 filedOct. 18, 2001.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to abrasive blasting. In particular, thepresent invention relates to apparatuses for the recovery andcontainment of the abrasive media.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Click studs and other types of fasteners are bonded to the surfaces ofaircraft and aircraft components to secure and hold electrical lines,hydraulic lines, and other items in desired locations. If thesefasteners become loose, the items they are securing can rub together,against the surface of the aircraft, or against other aircraftcomponents causing significant damage to the item, the aircraft, and/orother aircraft components. The failure of the bond between the fastenerand the aircraft can lead to damage and destruction of critical aircraftcomponents, resulting in dangerous flying conditions. Therefore, it isimperative that the bonds between these fasteners and the aircraft areprepared and formed as good as possible.

The current method of preparing the surface of the aircraft for bondingof click studs and other fasteners is hand sanding. Although it is knownthat abrasive blasting would provide a better surface treatment andpreparation, abrasive blasting has been avoided for fear that theabrasive media would contaminate other components on the aircraft, asvacuum containment means are not always available or practical inconfined spaces or on aircraft in the field.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for an improved method and apparatus for treating andpreparing the surfaces of aircraft and aircraft components prior tobonding click studs and other fasteners to the aircraft or aircraftcomponents.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved method and apparatus for treating and preparing the surfaces ofaircraft and aircraft components prior to bonding click studs and otherfasteners to the aircraft or aircraft components.

The above objects are achieved by providing an abrasive mediacontainment bag having a bag portion, a nozzle fitting, a blast fitting,and a filter member. The abrasive media containment bag according to thepresent invention allows the surface of the aircraft or aircraftcomponent to be prepared for bonding by using abrasive blasting, withoutfear of contaminating other aircraft components with the abrasive media.The abrasive media containment bag isolates the area to be treated andrecovers and contains the abrasive media.

The abrasive media containment bag according to the present inventionprovides significant advantages, including: (1) abrasive blasting can beused to treat and prepare the surface of the aircraft or aircraftcomponent without fear of contaminating other aircraft components withthe abrasive media; (2) the containment bag isolates the area to betreated; (3) the containment bag and be quickly and easily installedbefore use, and removed after use; (4) as a result of using the methodof the present invention, the bonds are up to 30% stronger than bondsthat were prepared by hand sanding; (5) 99.5% of the abrasive media canbe recovered and contained; (6) the manufacturing costs are very low;and (7) the containment bag and the collected abrasive media can bequickly and easily disposed of. Some of the materials removed by theabrasive media, such as paint and primer, are designated as hazardousmaterials. By utilizing the present invention, these materials can becontained and disposed of properly with the abrasive media.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are setforth in the appended claims. However, the invention itself, as well as,a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof,will best be understood by reference to the following detaileddescription when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an abrasive media containment bagaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the abrasive media containment bagof FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view in partial cross-section of the abrasive mediacontainment bag of FIGS. 1 and 2 shown in an aircraft surfacepreparation application; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the abrasive media containment bagaccording to the present invention shown in a three-dimensionalapplication.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1-3 in the drawings, an abrasive media containmentbag 11 according to the present invention is illustrated. Containmentbag 11 may be used in a wide variety of applications to isolate surfacesto be treated, and recover and contain abrasive media from abrasiveblasting operations. Although the present invention is described hereinwith respect to an abrasive blasting procedure to treat and prepareaircraft surfaces and aircraft components for bonding with click studsand other fasteners and components, it should be understood that thepresent invention may be used in any abrasive blasting procedure inwhich it would be desirable to isolate the surface to be treated, andrecover and contain the abrasive media. Containment bag 11 includes abag portion 13, a nozzle fitting 15, a blast fitting 17, and a filtermember 19.

Bag portion 13 is preferably made from flexible clear, semi-clear, orotherwise translucent, plastic having a thickness in a range of about0.003 to 0.006 inches, such as poly-2 film about 0.004 inches thick.When used in an application of abrasive blasting to treat and prepareaircraft surfaces and aircraft components for bonding with click studsand other fasteners, it is preferred that bag portion 13 be about 8.0inches long and about 7.0 inches wide; however, it will be appreciatedthat the size and shape of containment bag 11 may varied widelydepending upon the application in which the invention is used. Forexample, if a large surface area or part is being treated, bag portion13 may be considerably larger. It is also preferred that bag portion 13form a seamless enclosure; however, bag portion 13 may include seams,such as seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d. If bag portion includes seams21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 d, it is preferred that seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c,and 21 d be sealed by bonding, heat-sealing, gluing, sewing, or otherappropriate means, provided that seams 21 a, 21 b, 21 c, and 21 dprevent the chosen abrasive media 31 from escaping bag portion 13. Inthe preferred application, abrasive media 31 is 220 grit aluminum oxide.

Nozzle fitting 15 is a reinforced portion of bag portion 13, and ispreferably centrally located on the front surface of bag portion 13.Nozzle fitting 15 may be integral with bag portion 13, or may be aseparate member that is connected to bag portion 13. In cases wherenozzle fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bag portion 13, itis preferred that nozzle fitting 15 be made of rubberized abrasivemasking tape, such as the tape sold by the Anchor company as modelBT100, 3M 500 stripping tape, or other similar material. The rubberizedabrasive masking tape absorbs the impact of the abrasive media andprovides a seal as explained below. The rubberized abrasive masking tapepreferably includes adhesive on at least one surface that facilitatesconnection of nozzle fitting 15 to the exterior front surface of bagportion 13. In cases where nozzle fitting 15 is integral with bagportion 13, nozzle fitting 15 may be the same thickness as bag portion13, or may be slightly thickened, if additional stiffness in the area ofnozzle fitting 15 is desired.

Nozzle fitting 15 includes a nozzle aperture 23 that is adapted tosealingly receive a conventional blast nozzle 25 of a from aconventional blasting apparatus (not shown). Nozzle aperture 23 may be acircular, or other suitably shaped hole, or one or more slits, such asan X-shaped slit, in nozzle fitting 15. In any case, the size of nozzleaperture 23 should be such that a seal is formed between nozzle fitting15 and blast nozzle 25, when blast nozzle 25 is inserted through nozzleaperture 23. Such a seal prevents abrasive media 31 from escaping aroundnozzle aperture 23. For example, nozzle aperture 23 would have adiameter in the range of about 0.312 to 0.350 inches to sealinglyreceive a blast nozzle having an outside diameter of about 0.375 inches.In cases where nozzle fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bagportion 13, bag portion 13 includes an appropriately sized aperture overwhich nozzle fitting 15 is disposed. Although containment bag 11 hasbeen illustrated with a square nozzle fitting 15 and a circular nozzleaperture 23, it should be understood that nozzle fitting 15 and nozzleaperture 23 may be configured in other geometrical shapes, as othergeometrical shapes may be more conducive for receiving, supporting, andsealing blast nozzles 25 having other shapes.

Blast fitting 17 is a reinforced portion of bag portion 13, and ispreferably centrally located on the rear surface of bag portion 13.Blast fitting 17 may be integral with bag portion 13, or may be aseparate member that is connected to bag portion 13. In cases whereblast fitting 15 is a separate member connected to bag portion 13, it ispreferred that blast fitting 17 be made rubberized abrasive maskingtape, such as the tape sold by the Anchor company as model BT100, 3M 500stripping tape, or other similar material. Such rubberized masking tapeis preferred because it absorbs the impact of the abrasive media andprevents blast fitting 17 from wearing out. It is preferred that therubberized masking tape include an adhesive that does not leave aresidue on the surface once blast fitting 17 is removed. If blastfitting 17 does not have adhesive on both sides to facilitate bonding toboth bag portion 13 and aircraft surface 27, then a separate adhesive,such as double-sided tape or glue may be used to facilitate connectionof blast fitting 17 to the exterior rear surface of bag portion 13. Incases where blast fitting 17 is integral with bag portion 13, blastfitting 17 may be the same thickness as bag portion 13, or may beslightly thickened if additional stiffness in the area of blast fitting15 is desired.

It is preferred that blast fitting 17 be located on the rear surface ofbag portion 13 such that blast fitting 17 and nozzle fitting 15 arealigned with each other, as is best seen in FIG. 3. This configurationallows for a clearance C between nozzle fitting 15 and blast fitting 17of about 4.0 inches when containment bag 11 is in use. Blast fitting 17includes a blast aperture 29 that is adapted to isolate and surround thearea to be treated. It will be appreciated that the size and shape ofblast fitting 17 and the size and shape of blast aperture 29 may varydepending upon the desired application and surface to be treated.Although containment bag 11 has been illustrated with a circular blastfitting 17 and a concentric circular blast aperture 29, it should beunderstood that blast fitting 17 and blast aperture 29 may be configuredin other shapes and patterns, as other shapes and patterns may be moreconducive for treating surfaces in other applications. For example, if afastener has a square base that is to be bonded to aircraft surface 27,it may be desirable that blast aperture 29 be square in shape; and if apart has a hatch pattern, it may be desirable to treat the surface to bebonded with a corresponding hatch pattern.

Filter member 19 is preferably located on the same surface of bagportion 13 as blast fitting 17, and is sealingly attached to bag portion13 by suitable means, such as by bonding, sewing, or gluing. It ispreferred that filter member 19 be capable of filtering 99.5% or more ofabrasive media 31 and releasing about 4.0 to 6.0 cubic feet of air perminute dispensed by the blasting device along with abrasive media 31. Inthe preferred embodiment, filter member 19 is a 1.0 micron filtermaterial about 0.125 inches thick and about 4.5 inches square. Thepassing of air through filter member 19 is represented in FIG. 3 byarrows A. Although containment bag 11 has been illustrated with a squarefilter member 19, it should be understood that filter member 19 may beconfigured in other shapes, as other shapes may be more conducive forfiltering abrasive media 31 in various other applications. In addition,it should be understood that additional filter members may be used incertain applications, and that such additional filter members may be ofthe same capacity or of different capacities than filter member 19.Indeed, the filtration of abrasive media 31 may be performed in multiplestages.

In operation, a protective sheet (not shown) is removed from theexterior surface of blast fitting 17 to expose the non-residue adhesive.Blast fitting 17 is then placed over an area 35 of surface 27 to betreated, where blast fitting 17 is secured in place by the adhesive.Then, nozzle 25 is inserted through nozzle aperture 23, where nozzle 25is sealingly held in place, preferably by a press fit. Once nozzle 25 isinstalled, the abrasive blasting treatment process is carried out in aconventional manner, with bag portion 13 capturing and collecting theabrasive media. After the blasting treatment is completed, blast fitting17 is removed from surface 27 and containment bag 11 is discarded orotherwise disposed of. Then a click stud or other fastener can be bondedto the treated surface 27 in a conventional manner.

Although containment bag 11 has been shown and described primarily withrespect to treating flat surfaces, it should be understood that thepresent invention may be used to enclose and treat three-dimensionalobjects. Referring now to FIG. 4 in the drawings, an abrasive mediacontainment bag 111 is shown in a three-dimensional application. As withcontainment bag 11, containment bag 111 includes a bag portion 113, anozzle fitting 115, a blast fitting 117, and a filter member 119. Nozzlefitting 115 includes a nozzle aperture 123, and blast fitting 117includes a blast aperture 129.

In this application, both blast fitting 117 and blast aperture 129 aresquare in shape. This configuration is particularly well suited to allowaccess to all five sides of three-dimensional object 133 which protrudesoutward from a surface 127. As long as object 133 can be placed withinbag portion 113, and as long as bag portion 113 can be sealed aroundobject 133, the containment bag 111 can be utilized to isolate, contain,and recover the abrasive media.

It is apparent that an invention with significant advantages has beendescribed and illustrated. Although the present invention is shown in alimited number of forms, it is not limited to just these forms, but isamenable to various changes and modifications without departing from thespirit thereof.

1. An abrasive media containment bag comprising: an enclosed bagportion; a nozzle aperture passing through the bag portion, the nozzleaperture being adapted to sealingly receive a blast nozzle of anabrasive media blasting device; a blast aperture passing through the bagportion, the blast aperture being adapted for releasable bonding to asurface to be treated by abrasive media from the abrasive media blastingdevice; and a filter member disposed on the bag portion, the filtermember being adapted to allow air to pass therethrough, but to preventthe abrasive media from passing therethrough; wherein the bag portion isadapted to capture and contain the abrasive media.
 2. The abrasive mediacontainment bag according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle aperture isdisposed on a first surface of the bag portion and the blast aperture isdisposed on an opposing second surface of the bag portion, such that thenozzle aperture and the blast aperture are substantially aligned witheach other when the bag portion is bonded to the surface to be treated.3. The abrasive media containment bag according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a reinforced nozzle fitting disposed on the bag portion;wherein the nozzle aperture passes through the nozzle fitting.
 4. Theabrasive media containment bag according to claim 3, wherein the nozzlefitting is integral with the bag portion.
 5. The abrasive mediacontainment bag according to claim 3, wherein the nozzle fitting isformed from rubberized abrasive masking tape and is sealingly coupled tothe bag portion.
 6. The abrasive media containment bag according toclaim 1, further comprising: a reinforced blast fitting disposed on thebag portion; wherein the blast aperture passes through the blastfitting.
 7. The abrasive media containment bag according to claim 6,wherein the blast fitting is integral with the bag portion.
 8. Theabrasive media containment bag according to claim 6, wherein the blastfitting is formed from rubberized abrasive masking tape and is sealinglycoupled to the bag portion.
 9. The abrasive media containment bagaccording to claim 1, wherein the filter member is adapted to capture upto about 99.5% of the abrasive media.
 10. The abrasive media containmentbag according to claim 1, wherein the filter member is adapted tocapture up to about 99.5% of the abrasive media and release up to about4.0 cubic feet of air per minute.
 11. The abrasive media containment bagaccording to claim 1, wherein the filter member is a 1.0 micron filter.12. The abrasive media containment bag according to claim 1, wherein theblast aperture has one of the following shapes: (a) circle; (b) square;(c) rectangle; wherein the shape of the blast aperture corresponds tothe shape of the surface to be treated.
 13. The abrasive mediacontainment bag according to claim 1, wherein the blast aperture forms apattern of multiple geometric shapes corresponding to the surface to betreated.
 14. The abrasive media containment bag according to claim 1,wherein the bag portion and the blast aperture are adapted to enclose athree-dimensional object to be treated.
 15. The abrasive mediacontainment bag according to claim 1, wherein the bag portion is formedfrom flexible plastic having a thickness up to about 0.006 inches. 16.The abrasive media containment bag according to claim 1, wherein theplastic is translucent.
 17. A method of treating the surface of anobject, the method comprising the steps of: providing an abrasive mediacontainment bag having a bag portion, a nozzle fitting with a nozzleaperture, a blast fitting with a blast aperture, and a filter member;enclosing the surface within the containment bag; securing thecontainment bag to the object; inserting an abrasive media blastingdevice through the nozzle aperture; treating the surface with abrasivemedia from the abrasive media blasting device; capturing the abrasivemedia with the containment bag; and removing the containment bag fromthe object.
 18. The method according to claim 17, where the surface is asingle flat surface.
 19. The method according to claim 17, where thesurface is a three-dimensional surface.
 20. A method of bonding a firstobject to a second object, the method comprising the steps of: providingan abrasive media containment bag having a bag portion, a nozzle fittingwith a nozzle aperture, a blast fitting with a blast aperture, and afilter member; enclosing a surface of the first object within theabrasive media containment bag; securing the blast fitting to the firstobject; inserting a blast nozzle of an abrasive media blasting devicethrough the nozzle aperture; blasting a surface of the first object withabrasive media from the abrasive media blasting device; capturing theabrasive media with the abrasive media containment bag; filtering theabrasive media from air with the filter member; removing the blastfitting from the first object; and bonding the second object to theblasted surface of the first object.